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As the world changes drastically around us, it is more important than ever to make our voices heard at the polls on November 4th.

The hope inspired by the revolutions that swept across the Arab world four years ago has turned into a desperate and urgent fear of violent extremists threatening the entire region. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict saw yet another cycle of failed negotiations coupled with tragedy and violence; now a just resolution appears further away than it has been in decades. The wars in Iraq and Syria continue to tear apart whole societies and fundamentally redefine the role of the global community.

At home, our government has yet to achieve the right balance between protecting our national security and preserving our civil liberties. We have seen countless accounts of alarming, intrusive surveillance programs targeting our community that violate our constitutionally guaranteed rights as equal citizens. Hard won momentum pushing forward immigration reform stalled and another session of congress will end without enacting much needed reform of our immigration system.

The coming election will have to address all these questions and more, and your vote will shape the direction of this country for decades to come. Our community has been a part of the national conversation on these issues and it is critical that we get to the ballot box in November. We have compiled this Voter Guide to help you educate yourself before going to the polls. It contains important information about the voting process in your state and contact information for parties and candidates.

As our community of nearly 4 million Arab Americans continues to grow both in size and in political prominence, we remain focused and committed to the empowerment of our community and the betterment of our nation. For many, that begins at the ballot box. Use this guide, share it, and Yalla Vote!

INTRODUCTION

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OverviewAccording to the latest US Census Bureau data, over 60,000 Arab Americans live in Pennsylvania. How-ever, we estimate that due to undercounting, Pennsylvania actually boasts a vibrant Arab American com-munity of over 182,000. On November 4th, all of Pennsylvania’s voters will go to the polls in to decide competitive races statewide.

Following the 2010 Census, states redraw their districts in order to adapt to changing demographics. As a result, Pennsylvania lost one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, which necessitated the con-solidatation of two of Pennsylvania’s districts. While a new map should have gone into effect in the 2012 election cycle, there were a number of appeals from Democrats who argued that the new map was too partisan. It was eventually thrown out, and the 2012 elections took place under 2001 districts. After a long process of appeals, a compromise was struck and the new map will go into effect during the 2014 election cycle. Elections will be held for Pennsylvania’s Governor and members in the U.S. House of Representatives Cur-rently, out of Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts, 5 are Democratic and 13 are Republican. There are a few cases in which the incumbents are not running for reelection, leaving their seats open for newcomers. District 6’s Jim Gerlach (R) is vacating his position as well as District 13’s Allyson Schwartz (D). Schwartz began a campaign to run for Pennsylvania’s governor, but was defeated by Tom Wolf (D) in the Democratic primary. There are two competitive races which will be undoubtedly impacted by the new redistricting. In District 6, Republican Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner, faces Democrat Manan Trivedi, who ran in 2010 and 2012. District 8 will see a rematch between Republican incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick and Demo-crat Kathy Boockvar, who attempted in 2012 to unseat Fitzpatrick. The other races are favorable to the incumbent. As of September, the Cook Political Report has listed District 6 and District 8 as competitive races that lean Republican. In the gubernatorial election, Republican incumbent Tom Corbett faces Democrat Tom Wolf for the top executive seat in the state. Corbett is ranked to be the most unpopular governor in the nation, and this gubernatorial election is the most likely to result in a flip, according to the Washington Post. Corbett’s approval ratings are abysmal, with only 20% of voters saying that he deserves to be reelected. His low approval numbers are commonly attributed to the way Corbett handled the controversial, high-profile Sandusky child molestation trial and his budget, which cut 50% of funding for higher education. Current-ly, Wolf has a comfortable lead in the polls. Important issues in the gubernatorial election are the controversial practice of fracking around the Mar-cellus Shale, whether or not to increase the minimum wage, and how to bring jobs to Pennsylvania. Ear-lier this year, Pennsylvania’s 2012 voter ID laws were struck down by a state judge, who cited a burden on Pennsylvanians to cast their ballots. The ruling paves the way for a potential Supreme Court case on voter ID laws, bringing potential interest and attention to voting processes this November.

State Election InformationELECTIONSGeneral Election Tuesday, November 4, 2014Polls OPEN at 7:00AM and CLOSE at 8:00PM

Resource: Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Commisions, Elections and Legistlation 210 N. Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 787-5280 www.votespa.com

DEADLINESYou must be registered to vote by Tuesday, October 6, 2014.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 is the last day to register for an absentee ballot.

The last day for the County Board of Elections to receive absentee ballots is October 31, 2014.

REGISTERING TO VOTETo register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must be:

• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

• A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

• At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

In Pennsylvania, you can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your County Voter Registration Office or at various government agencies.

You can register to vote by mail in two ways:

• Get a Voter Registration Mail Application form from the state or federal government. The Secretary of the Commonwealth and all county registration commissions supply Voter Registration Mail Applications to all persons and organizations who request them, including candidates, political parties and political bodies and other federal, state and municipal offices.

• Download the Voter Registration Application and follow the instructions at http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1174117&parentname=ObjMgr&parentid=1&mode=2

You can register to vote in person at a PA Department of Transportation photo license center when you obtain or update your driver’s license.

ABSENTEE VOTINGAny registered eligible voter, if unable to vote in person, may vote by absentee ballot for one of the following reasons:

• Illness

• Physical disability

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Poll WatchersPoll watchers observe elections at the polling sites on behalf of a particular candidate, political party or organization and where they observe irregularities; report those observations to the Elections Inspector, the Police Officer and/or Board of Elections.

For those who want to observe at the polls, they must contact their county’s Board of Elections to receive the specific details. Each county is different so it’s important that you contact your county’s Board of Elections. Below are brief descriptions of each county’s Board of Elections and some of the rules and requirements to be a poll watcher.

Poll watchers may:

• The first poll watcher of the Election Day has the right to see that the ballot box is empty before the first ballot is cast.

• A poll watcher may observe the distribution of the ballot to the voter, and after the voter has voted, the depositing of ballot into the ballot box.

• If the poll watcher observes what he thinks might be a violation, he/she may question a voter’s privilege by stating his/her case to the election board. Remember, the election board consists of the poll workers at that precinct.

• The poll watcher may observe the closing procedures when the polls close. A poll watcher is not allowed to talk to any person in the polling place except when questioning a procedure.

No poll watcher may wear anything advertising a candidacy or promoting for or against an issue. Poll watchers are official observers only. They may observe the conduct of the election before, during and after the polls close. The election board is the sole authority in the polling place on Election Day. No person, except the board, may handle or touch election supplies and materials. If the poll watcher feels that a violation has taken place during an election, the poll watcher must notify the election board. Electioneering, campaigning or solicitation within 100 feet of the entrance to the polling room is prohibited.

Campaigning at the PollsOn the day of any primary, referendum or election, no person shall solicit in behalf of or in opposition to the candidacy of another or himself or in behalf of or in opposition to any question being submitted at the election or referendum within a radius of 75 feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any polling place or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such outside entrance to such polling place or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach, except as provided in section. The selectmen shall provide suitable markers to indicate the seventy-five-foot distance from such entrance.

• Active service in the US Armed Forces

• Religious tenets which forbid secular activity on day of election, primary, or referendum

• Service as an election official at a polling place of voting during all hours of voting

To vote Absentee you must complete the Absentee Ballot Application, available at your County Election Office or online at http://www.dosimages.pa.gov/pdf/AbsenteeBallotApplication.pdf

In Pennsylvania, the County Board of Elections must receive your application for an absentee ballot no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election.

In emergency situations (such as an unexpected illness or disability) you can submit an Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot, which must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day. Completed non-emergency absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day. Emergency Absentee Ballot Applications are available at the county Board of Elections Office.

EARLY VOTINGWhile some states allow all voters to cast ballots prior to Election Day, Pennsylvania does not have early voting. You are of course welcome to apply for an Absentee Ballot.

AT THE POLLSID RequirementsAll voters who appear at a polling place for the first time must show proof of Identification. Approved forms of photo identification include:

• A Pennsylvania driver’s license or PENNDOT ID card

• ID issued by any Commonwealth agency

• ID issued by the U.S. Government

• U.S. passport

• U.S. Armed Forces ID

• Student ID

• Employee ID

If you do not have any of these, you can provide the following documents if they show your name and current address:

• Firearm permit

• Current utility bill

• Current bank statement

• Current paycheck

• Government Check

• Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth or U.S. Government

Disabled VotersVoters who are disabled, have physical limitations or have limited English proficiency can ask for assistance at the polling place. Voters may also contact their county voter registration office before Election Day to ask for assistance.

STATE ELECTION INFORMATION STATE ELECTION INFORMATION

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STATE CONTACT INFORMATIONSTATE CONTACT INFORMATION

Pennsylvania State Democratic PartyChair: Jim Burn

205 State St. Harrisburg, PA 17101(717) 920-8470(717) 901-7829 (fax)

www.padems.com

Pennsylvania State Republican PartyChair: Robert Gleason, Jr.

112 State St. Harrisburg, PA 17102(717) 234-4901(717) 231-3828 (fax)

www.pagop.org

Pennsylvania State Directory Pennsylvania County Directory

Alleghney: Clairton, Duquesne, McKreesport, Pitts-burgh, Bethel Park, Monroeville, Mt. Lebanon

Republican ChairJim Roddey 100 Fleet Street, Suite 205Pittsburgh, PA 15220(412) 458-0068 www.alleghenyrepublicans.com Democratic ChairNancy Patton Mills 429 Forbes Avenue, Suite 1301Pittsburgh, PA 15219(412) 481-5646www.alleghenydemocrats.com

Bucks: Dublin, Bristol, Croydon, Penndel, Silver-dale, Ivyland, Richboro, Lacey Park, Chalfont

Republican ChairPat Poprik115 North Broad StreetDoylestown, PA 18901(215) 345-6811www.bucksgop.org

Democratic ChairJohn Cordisco123 North Broad Street, Suite BDoylestown, PA 18901(215) 348-2140www.bucksdemocrats.org

Delaware: Collingdale, Rose Valley, Aldan, Broomall, Media, Trainer, Yeadon, Linwood, Lima

Republican ChairAndy Reilley321 West Front StreetMedia, PA 19063(610) 566-9375 www.delcogop.org/execom.html

Democratic Executive DirectorDavid Landan P.O. Box 473 Media, PA 19063(610) 566-6427 www.delcodems.com

Lancaster: Elizabethtown, Adamstown, Denver, Refton, Intercourse, Maytown, Paradise, Lancaster

Republican ChairAudra Spahn (acting)902 Columbia Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603(717) 392-4165www.lancasterrepublicans.com Democratic ChairSally Lyall53 North Duke Street, Suite 10Lancaster, PA 17602(717) 299-5701www.lancasterdems.com Montgomery: Ambler, Ft. Washington, Hatboro, Bryn Athyn, Bryn Mawr, North Wales, Red Hill

Republican ChairMike Vereb 314 E Johnson Highway, Suite 200 Norristown, PA 19401(610) 279-9300 www.montgomerycountygop.com Democratic ChairMarcel Groen 21 East Airy Street Norristown, PA 19401(610) 272-2000 www.mcdems.org Philadelphia: Philadelphia, Olney, Somerton, Over-brook, Germantown, Kensington, Wissinoming

Republican Chair Hon. John J. Taylor3525-27 Cottman Ave.Philadelphia, PA 19149(215) 561-0650phillygop.blogspot.com

Democratic ChairRobert A. Brady219 Spring Garden StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19123(215) 241-7800www.citycommittee.org

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2014 Gubernatorial Race

Tom Corbett (R) Incumbent with Jim Cawley for Lt. Gov PO Box 1145 Harrisburg, PA 17108 (717) 238-4009

www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com www.governor.pa.gov

Tom Corbett is the Republican incumbent running for reelection in the 2014 gubernatorial election. He graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and went on to serve as Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 2004 and 2008. He also spent thirteen years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Captain. He is married to Susan Manbeck Corbett and has two children.

According to his website, Tom Corbett stands for:

• Pro-life legislation

• No increase in the minimum wage

• Never legalizing marijuana

• Supporting and expanding free trade

• Expanding the Military

• Not instituting a natural gas extraction tax

• Not allowing same-sex marriage

• Privatization of state-owned liquor stores

• The Marcellus Shale Law (House Bill 1950) which charges natural gas drillers a fee to offset the environmental and community effects of drilling; it also contains a provision that allows doctors to have access to the list of chemicals in the fluid used during hydraulic fracturing, but bans the doctors from discussing this information with anyone

Tom Wolf (D) With Michael J. Stack for Lt. Gov

P.O. Box 22454 Philadelphia, PA 19110

www.wolfforpa.com

Tom Wolf is the democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s Governor in 2014. Previously, he served as the Secretary of Revenue in Gov. Ed Rendell’s cabinet, as the Chair of the York County United Way, as the Chairman of the York County Chamber of Commerce, and the York College Board of Trustees. He also owns The Wolf Organization. He is married with two daughters.

According to his website, Tom Wolf stands for:

• Rebuilding Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector, starting with clean energy technology, bringing high-tech, high-wage jobs to Pennsylvania

• Restoring the billions in cuts to education, implementing a fair funding formula, and instituting reforms to help local school districts innovate and improve student performance

• Improving access to higher education for veterans

• Enacting a 5 percent severance tax on natural gas extraction

• Increasing funding for the Department of Environmental Protection so that it is sufficiently staffed and able to provide proper oversight of drillers

• Requiring drillers to publically disclose chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process, and lifting the current gag order on physicians

• Setting green building standards for all state buildings

• Creating a “connect Pennsylvania” collaborative to kick-start projects that will increase Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness, such as high-speed rail

• Expanding Medicaid

• Opposing the changes to current employees’ pension plans

• Minimum wage increase to $10.10/hour

2014 Gubernatorial Race

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U.S. House, PA 1st District Incumbent Robert Brady (D)

102 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4731

www.brady.house.gov

ChallengerMegan Rath (R)

P.O. Box 6051Philadelphia, PA 19114(215) 612-7284

www.meganforcongress.com

U.S. House, PA 2nd District IncumbentChaka Fattah (D)

2301 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4001

www.fattah.house.gov

ChallengerArmond James (R)

www.armondforcongress.com

U.S. House, PA 3rd District

IncumbentMike Kelly (R)

1519 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5406

www.kelly.house.gov

ChallengerDan LaValee (D)

P.O. Box 1801Cranberry TWP, PA 16066(724) 584-3756

www.danlavallee.com

U.S. House, PA 4th District

Incumbent Scott Perry (R)

126 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515

(202) 225-5836

www.perry.house.gov

ChallengerLinda Deliah Thompson (D)

www.thompsonforcongress2014.comldt@lindathompsonforcongress2014.com

U.S. House, PA 5th District

IncumbentGlen Thompson (R)

124 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5121

www.thompson.house.gov

ChallengerKerith Strano Taylor (D)

P.O. Box 280Brookville, PA 15825(814) 446-0482

www.kstforcongress.com

U.S. House, PA 7th District IncumbentPat Meehan (R)

204 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2011

www.meehan.house.gov

ChallengerMary Ellen Balchunis (D)

P.O. Box 1619Havertown, PA 19083(610) 449-1128

www.maryellenforcongress.com

U.S. House of Representatives Races U.S. House of Representatives Races

U.S. House, PA 6th District*Incumbent Jim Gerlach (R) is not seeking reelection

ChallengerRyan Costello (R)

P.O. Box 3154West Chester, PA 19381(484) 402-4024

www.ryancostelloforcongress.com

ChallengerManan Trivedi (D)

113 E Evans St. West Chester, PA 19580(484) 329-7907

www.trivediforcongress.com

U.S. House, PA 8th District

IncumbentMike Fitzpatrick (R)

2400 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4276

www.fitzpatrick.house.gov

ChallengersKevin Strouse (D)

P.O. Box 186Bensalem, PA 19020

www.kevinstrouse.com

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U.S. House, PA 10th District

IncumbentTom Marino (R)

410 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-3731

www.marino.house.gov

ChallengerScott Brion (D)

P.O. Box 67Liberty, PA 16930

www.scottbrionforcongress.com

ChallengerNick Troiano (I)

(570) 232-4683

www.nicktroiano.com

U.S. House, PA 9th District IncumbentBill Shuster (R)

2209 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2431

www.shuster.house.gov

ChallengerAlanna Hartzok (D)

P.O. Box 346Scotland, PA 17254(717) 268-4616

www.hartzokforcongress.com

U.S. House of Representatives Races U.S. House of Representatives Races

U.S. House, PA 12th District

IncumbentKeith Rothfus (D)

503 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2065

www.rothfus.house.gov

ChallengerErin McClelland (D)

P.O. Box 2824Lower Burrell, PA 15068(724) 472-8614

www.erin14.com

U.S. House, PA 13th DistrictIncumbent Allyson Schwartz (D) is not running for reelection

ChallengerDee Adcock

2611 Philmont AvenueHuntingdon Valley, PA 19006(215) 947-8644

www.adcockforcongress.com

ChallengerBrendan Boyle (D)

P.O. Box 11545 Philadelphia, PA 19116

www.voteboyle.com

U.S. House, PA 11th District

IncumbentLou Barletta (R)

115 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-6511

www.barletta.house.gov

ChallengerAndy Ostrowski (D)

www.ostrowskiforcongress.com

U.S. House, PA 14th District

IncumbentMike Doyle (D)

239 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2135

www.doyle.house.gov

U.S. House, PA 15th District

IncumbentCharles Dent (R)

2455 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-6411

www.dent.house.gov

U.S. House, PA 16th District

IncumbentJoseph Pitts (R)

420 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2411

www.pitts.house.gov

ChallengerTom Houghton (D)

P.O. Box 9053Lancaster, PA 17604

www.tomhoughton.org

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U.S. House, PA 17th District

ChallengersMatt Cartwright (D)

1419 Longworth HOBWashington ,DC 20515(202) 225-5546

www.cartwright.house.gov

ChallengerDavid Moylan (R)

15 Alliance StreetNew Philadelphia, PA 17959(570) 277-6200

www.docmoylan.com

U.S. House, PA 18th District

IncumbentTimothy Murphy (R)

2332 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2301

www.murphy.house.gov

U.S. House of Representatives Races

Arab American Institute 1600 K Street, NW Suite 601 Washington, DC 20006 www.aaiusa.org